1. Ecosystem Jars
Ecosystem Jars – This sectional will share a systems engineering approach to learning about and designing ecosystems. While I teach this in middle school it is adaptable to upper elementary and high school classes. Materials will be provided that could be readily used in the classroom.  (Upper elementary through high school)

2. Rochester Adams High School
Life in a Jar
Credit to:
Todd Vince
Scott Short
Joe Wieten
Rochester Adams High School
Rochester, MI

3. Genesis 1:28
And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

4. STEM Science Technology Engineering Math
These are inter-related topics that are often taught separately, but can mean more to students when experienced as a whole.

5. STEM in the Life Sciences

6. Ecosystem Jar Project
Goal – to build a self-sustaining, closed ecosystem that can support one or more secondary consumers

7. Pond Water from the Rio Grande Nature Center

8. Introductory Material
Use of Microscopes (light and stereo)
Protists, especially types found in pond water
Crustaceans and Arthropods
Other pond life

9. Weekly Check and record temperature pH Water Clarity Draw the Jar
List abiotic and biotic factors (producers, consumers, dead items – population?)
Analyze status of jar
Add items to the jar

10. Adding Items NOTE – Nothing comes out of the jar!
An “Additions” form must be completed
All members must agree to the additions
There must be a justification for any additions
The teacher must approve

11. Week 1 Focus is microscope observations
identifying abiotic and biotic factors already present
beginning to make plans for the jar
blepharisma

12. Week 2 Focus is continuing to make microscope observations
considering the carbon cycle in the jar
considering the availability of oxygen in the jar
planaria

13. Microscope Observations
Stentor
Rotifer

14. Microscope Observations
Plant Detritus & Paramecia
Round Worm or Nematode

15. Week 3 Focus is Microscope observations
Considering the nitrogen cycle for the jar

16. Week 4 Focus is Identifying jar food chains
Drawing a food web for the jar
Labeling an energy pyramid for the jar

17. Week 5 Focus is Estimating population sizes
Identifying limiting factors for various organisms in the jar

18. Week 6 Focus is Predator – prey relationships
Competition for resources within the jar

19. Week 7 Final Jar Assessment
Graphing of data gathered (populations would be good)
Analysis of limiting factors and the various elemental cycles for the jar
Each student must explain why or why not they have been able to successfully create a self-sustaining ecosystem that will support a secondary consumer

20. Students and Their Jars Whose secondary consumer will survive???

21. Two of the Group’s Jars

22. Other Ways to Carry Out Ecosystem Jars
Four weeks of Observations
Groups cooperate across classes
Different materials to add
Only one day per week
Smaller jars

23. STEM and Ecosystem Jars
Science – ecosystems, element cycles, identifying organisms, energy transfer, limiting factors
Technology – microscopes and possibly light sensors
Engineering – “building” an ecosystem
Math – graphing and analysis of data gathered

24. Vera Abresch Christ Lutheran - Albuquerque, NM vkabresch @yahoo.com
This is my 20th year teaching in Lutheran Schools. I have taught science and math in Texas, Michigan and New Mexico.